STAR deadline for new homeowners is July 1

Details on the new STAR rebate program for new homeowners:

Who must register?
-- Those who bought their home after August 1, 2015, must register with the state Department of Taxation and Finance.
-- Those who bought their home between May 1, 2014, and August 1, 2015, must register if:

•      They bought their home after the 2015 STAR application deadline; or
•      If they never applied for the STAR benefit on their primary residence.  

-- Owners who purchased their homes before May 1, 2014, don’t need to take any action. They will continue to get the STAR exemption on their property tax bills.

How to register?
-- The registration for the STAR check can be done online at the Tax Department’s website www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star/register-for-star-credit.htm or by calling (518) 457-2036 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

-- If you miss the deadline, you could still apply, but you may not get the check in September. 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT STAR:

• Households with income under $500,000 are eligible for STAR. They get an exemption from the first $30,000 of the full value of their primary home from school taxes.
• Homeowners 65 and older get a larger tax break for Enhanced STAR: The first $65,300 of their home value is exempt from school taxes.
• The Enhanced STAR income limit is $84,550.
• The average statewide savings last year for Basic STAR was $740; it was $1,400 for Enhanced STAR.
• The rebate comes as an upfront break when people pay their school taxes each September. Then the state reimburses schools for the cost.